My Wriedt 73' Project

[Crossbow_CA]

Well even though it is nearing this initial phase's completion (since we all know they are never really finished) I decided to share my project.
I purchased this boat with a 455 Olds... It has a knock and too much crank play. I havn't cracked it open to find out exactly what it needs, but thats for another project Thread. Anyways, I built a 460 Ford over the winter that fits in nicely.
http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/3435/58y9sswk4dtnfvwxl38qty5ui8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/6789/k5otn8wsypufapmzesl0ed3ci0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[squirt'nmyload]

nice!!!....i have a '74
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k265/squirtnmyload/DSCF0802.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k265/squirtnmyload/DSCF0883.jpg

[Crossbow_CA]

I posted the engine build here over the winter so I'll skip that part. Think it was related to the water leaking from the front plate, but thats fixed and it seems to have broken in nicely. Next step for this project was finding out the stringers were just 1/2 empty, 1/2 filled with black "mush". I opted to have this work done as I have no experience in Glass work and really don't know anyone outside my family in San Diego. I got a tip from someone on http://www.socaljetboats.com/index.php to call Ultra Custom boats in Lakeside. I spoke with John West and he really gave me great quote on the repair.
Before..
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/3107/newjetboat003ei9.jpg (http://imageshack.us) http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/4561/newjetboat002mg7.jpg (http://imageshack.us) http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/681/newjetboat001bt0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
After...
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/2010/newjetboat012ue0.jpg (http://imageshack.us) http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/9833/newjetboat011oe6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Crossbow_CA]

The next step I worked on today. It involved lowering the engine in the boat, hooking up the drivetrain, lineing everything up perfectly, scribing the engine mount feet in the places I will get them drilled. Since this is my first jet boat I was clueless on where to begin. I purchased all the hardware to convert my 69' Lincoln Cont. engine to a Marine jetboat engine from http://www.jetboatperformance.com/index.php?p=main (I hope it's OK to post these websites here) I dealt with Tom there, who has been nothing but a great help and supplied me the techinical details I needed to try this project. Right down to the 4 deg. slope back to front I needed for the drivetrain rollers to spin properly.
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/5219/newjetboat013uh4.jpg (http://imageshack.us) http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/4609/newjetboat015dr5.jpg (http://imageshack.us) http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/2205/newjetboat014pn4.jpg (http://imageshack.us) http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/5291/newjetboat016tg8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Now before you guys start...( as I have been lurking here all winter and seen how you love to that:D ) I know I need to move the engine back about 1/4". I am hoping besides lining up the drivetrain correctly this will give me enough stringer to bolt to in the front. These 1/4 Stringers really seem to cut it close.

[Crossbow_CA]

So I am hoping to get some more tips from you guys, as I can never have too much help in the information dept. So please, fire away with any suggestions that might ensure this boat makes it to the river SOON:D

[Crossbow_CA]

Squirt'nmyload, is that the original interior from these boats? While mine is good condition, it does look like it might have been replacement rather and orig. equip. BTW thats a b*tch'in boat you have. I hope I can see it one day in person.

[squirt'nmyload]

Squirt'nmyload, is that the original interior from these boats? While mine is good condition, it does look like it might have been replacement rather and orig. equip. BTW thats a b*tch'in boat you have. I hope I can see it one day in person.
good question........that how it was when i got it and i was provided with reciepts of when it was redone a couple years ago.....i bought it off of the origional owners but i didn't ask......thanks for the compliment!!!.....it didn't look that great when i got it but i put MANY hours into wet sanding and buffing to get the shine back......did yours always have saddle tanks???.......obviously mine has a bow tank...i though about switching it but i like the way it rides and i don't care how fast it is so i'm gonna leave it be:)

[Crossbow_CA]

I have no idea what was original on this boat. I got no history, just a story about the personal problems the owner had that was forcing him to sell. I think it was Black w/metalic flake 1st from an area whre the paint is chipped off. Pump may not even be original. It was purple before red, and the intake is white... If I had to guess, however I would say yes because it looks like some old foam is still packed around them.

[raisinL]

Lookin good crossbow.

[squirt'nmyload]

I have no idea what was original on this boat. I got no history, just a story about the personal problems the owner had that was forcing him to sell. I think it was Black w/metalic flake 1st from an area whre the paint is chipped off. Pump may not even be original. It was purple before red, and the intake is white... If I had to guess, however I would say yes because it looks like some old foam is still packed around them.
the orig owners told me that my whole boat was the blue metalflake at one point:jawdrop: :jawdrop:...........they said they had the white gel sprayed on it the late 70's.....i was kinda bummed cause they said they had tons of old pics but they were misplaced in a couple of moves....but, they talked to me for a couple of hours before i left with it and they told me all the stories of their kids learning to ski off of it and the many other family river trips they had....it had alot of sentimental value to them i guess, the wife even cried when i pulled out of the driveway!!...i assured them it would have a good home :).....oh, and i put the headers on too

[Crossbow_CA]

Thats great to have a history and story to go with your boat. Unless I can track previous owners from the CF Number I guess I will have to start my boats History over 33yrs later. I can't wait to teach my children how to ski. I was raised on a Lake in MI and was told by my father I had to swim from my neighbors dock to mine before I could learn to ski. Needless to say, I jumped in the water right there and my mother had to go in fully clothed and pull me off the bottom:eek: But I was skiing 2 weeks later.

[squirt'nmyload]

Thats great to have a history and story to go with your boat. Unless I can track previous owners from the CF Number I guess I will have to start my boats History over 33yrs later. I can't wait to teach my children how to ski. I was raised on a Lake in MI and was told by my father I had to swim from my neighbors dock to mine before I could learn to ski. Needless to say, I jumped in the water right there and my mother had to go in fully clothed and pull me off the bottom:eek: But I was skiing 2 weeks later.
it's lookin good so far.....good luck with it!!!!!:)

[Oldsquirt]

Now before you guys start...( as I have been lurking here all winter and seen how you love to that:D ) I know I need to move the engine back about 1/4". I am hoping besides lining up the drivetrain correctly this will give me enough stringer to bolt to in the front. These 1/4 Stringers really seem to cut it close.
Make sure you DO NOT bottom out the driveline in the pump. This can do damage to both the pump thrust bearing and the engine thrust bearings.

[Crossbow_CA]

By bottom out I assume you mean don't push the engine all the way back to the stern. I was told to pull it forward 3/16"

[Oldsquirt]

Correct.
You might also consider having some custom mounting feet milled up that move the mounting holes further back on the stringer.

[Crossbow_CA]

I'll certainly look into that if I have any problems with the current setup. Is drilling the holes thru the stringer at a slight angle a big no-no?

[Oldsquirt]

Probably not the best idea.

[Crossbow_CA]

My God this has been difficult... getting this engine lined up perfectly and then drilling everything. I have got most of the bolts thru the stringers now. However, Some did not go thru at the correct angle and simply will not go thru the stringers and the feet. Tommrrow I am going to unbolt all the feet and drill corrections to the angles or "ream" out the holes a little to get them to bolt on. Would it be a good idea to put something like liquid nails in the hole to fill the space that gets reamed? I have gotten 2 of the 3 bolts to go thru on all stringers so far, so I don't think it will move with the reaming. Also should I be coating the inside of these holes with something to keep water from getting in the stringers and F'in up my new stringers again?

[67weimann]

Put a coat of resin inside the holes prior to installing the bolts, carefull not to use too much and make the hole too small for the bolt to go through...:D
Looking good...

[Big Kahunaa]

when you level your motor use the carb pad (take the cab off) not the vavle cover boat looks good

[Schiada Time]

I use to boat with a guy down in Blythe at McIntyre Park who had a Wreidt. He was known around the camp as "Jet Boat Jack". I had a 19 Hallet Bubble Deck back then. i have since sold my squirt and purchased a '22 Schiada V-drive that I have completely restored this past year. I did the same to my old Hallett so I am no stranger to what you have done there with your boat. Nice work and enjoy it. Once you have kids if you do not already the over the transom headers and open engines tend to head down the road. I vow to own a flatbottom someday!

[Crossbow_CA]

I do have kids, and am using thru transom.:) I got it all bolted down today:D
I am going to use Sea-Goin Poxy Puty to fill the holes so I'll have to pull all the stringer bolts again:( Tommrrow I connect all the wires and if I have time will take her for a test drive. I can't wait it will be my first ride in a jet boat:eek:

[Crossbow_CA]

No ride today:( The wires are all set up for for the Olds. I did get it turn over though before the rain started.

[Crossbow_CA]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but what is the best way to plumb the water if I am using logs & risers?

[Crossbow_CA]

Well, I believe my project is no longer a project;)
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8226/newjetboat023ac6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/7350/newjetboat024pk8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/2463/newjetboat025ux0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[CalmInsanity]

Very Nice !

[Crossbow_CA]

Arrgh... The life of owning a jet boat... I got stranded today. Something shorted again.. I guess...I melted my fingers touching the Pos on my batt and a wire came unsoldered it was so hot. Seemed to get plenty of gas, got an infrequent fire, and let it sit. Later got it to start and run for about 5 sec. Brought it home and it fired right up but I was getting back fires out of the carb. Adjusted the dist to a bit more advance and ran better, but seemed to want to do the same thing. Flames in the carb after a high rev and shut off. Could the valve train problem I was having before be causing this? It ran perfect the last 2 times out and 1/2 of today then all of a sudden a couple backfires and here I sit bitch'in. At the lake I thought it was an ignition problem, not getting any, but as soon as I tried at home it ran. Any Ideas